2000 Jetta possible buy but vibrates consistent with RPMs

[SR Heer]

I am looking into buying a 2000 Jetta that runs well - no blow-by when taking oil filler cap off - Jetta does have around 200,000 miles and it seems to vibrate extra hard and is consistent with frequency in relation to RPMs - the owner said it probably was the clutch system that needed to be changed out??? Does this sound reasonable? He said the clutches on these ALH motors was a two piece flywheel or split flywheel or something like that - can someone please elaborate - and please clue me in on what might go wrong with these clutches? And can sensed vibration be a symptom or condition of clutch problem or not?

Also what other things might I look at when looking at the 99.5 to 2003 years as far as things to check before buying - I have a 98 Jetta and am thinking of upgrading the clutch and turbo and injectors as well as tune and exhaust but if the 2000s are more upgrade friendly as far as tubos - etc then I will to wait until I get one before throwing extra bucks at a TDI. One advantage of the ALH Jettas is that their suspension and handling seemed to be quite a bit better than the AHU Jettas. Thanks for any input and or recommendations! Much appreciated!

[the caveman]

Yes the later TDI's have a double plate pressure plate-known as dual mass. They wear and can get so bad they will vibrate at speed. Does it do while driven or when just reved?
make sure it's not a CV joint or driveshaft.The engine mount/torsion rod[ dog bone] that attaches the engine to the subframe can also break/wear to the point of letting the engine load/unload making it all shake. Either way, fixable.
In a way, the 99.5 up ECU's can be easier to "chip" because they just need to get flashed, where as the older ones literally get a chip replaced.

[catlin_cava]

is the sound always constant or does it go away? and does it sound like its coming from the belt?

[SR Heer]

I am a vegetarian because I am a poor hunter ( :
No actually hopefully I will be able to go to Colorado for an elk hunt next year!
One elk lasts us two to three years and as far as lean - it is mean!!!
So glad my wife likes to both hunt and cook! (  :

ok - when taking the 2000 Jetta for a spin it seamed to vibrate when ever moving but yes it was consistent - did not vibrate harder or less and seamed to increase or decrease a bit in sync with auto speed so probably clutch - where is a good place to buy a complete clutch/flywheel set up? I would want to put a stage 2 or 3 clutch in like one for VR6 or something - since I may be wanting to upgrade with turbo later - question is - with my 98 Jetta a gt1756vb which as I understand can put out about 25lbs boost but does not fit well because of clearance tolerances there with motor mount to firewall area - is it easier to upgrade with ALH engines in that if I am not mistaken I think there may be more room for possible upgrade/larger turbos in that their exhaust manifold is one piece and the adapting or mounting may not be as critical there with them as compared to AHU Jettas - is this true or not necessarily - in other words if one had 2 grand to put into either their 98 AHU Jetta or 2000 ALH Jetta for performance upgrades which one could one get the most increase in HP for the buck spent? - What are some of the upgrade turbos that fit for the AHU engines and ALH engines? I have heard that the VT2256 rocks but one has to devise a good vane control mechanism??? Any ideas or links about such? Thanks!

[R.O.R-2.0]

I am a vegetarian because I am a poor hunter ( :
No actually hopefully I will be able to go to Colorado for an elk hunt next year!
One elk lasts us two to three years and as far as lean - it is mean!!!
So glad my wife likes to both hunt and cook! (  :

ok - when taking the 2000 Jetta for a spin it seamed to vibrate when ever moving but yes it was consistent - did not vibrate harder or less and seamed to increase or decrease a bit in sync with auto speed so probably clutch - where is a good place to buy a complete clutch/flywheel set up? I would want to put a stage 2 or 3 clutch in like one for VR6 or something - since I may be wanting to upgrade with turbo later - question is - with my 98 Jetta a gt1756vb which as I understand can put out about 25lbs boost but does not fit well because of clearance tolerances there with motor mount to firewall area - is it easier to upgrade with ALH engines in that if I am not mistaken I think there may be more room for possible upgrade/larger turbos in that their exhaust manifold is one piece and the adapting or mounting may not be as critical there with them as compared to AHU Jettas - is this true or not necessarily - in other words if one had 2 grand to put into either their 98 AHU Jetta or 2000 ALH Jetta for performance upgrades which one could one get the most increase in HP for the buck spent? - What are some of the upgrade turbos that fit for the AHU engines and ALH engines? I have heard that the VT2256 rocks but one has to devise a good vane control mechanism??? Any ideas or links about such? Thanks!

1756 VB anything like the 1749? integral manifold? my VNT will fit on mk1 and mk4 cars no problem.. mk2 and 3 cars pose a slight problem..